You should take Mucaine Gel approximately 15 to 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. Taking it before eating allows the active ingredients, including a local anaesthetic, to effectively coat and numb the lining of your stomach and food pipe. This protects your stomach from irritation when you eat. For the best results, do not dilute the gel with water, and avoid drinking water or eating anything immediately after swallowing it so the protective layer isn?t washed away. Always follow the specific dosage prescribed by your doctor.